Where to find Kentucky Derby Tickets

The race is over in about two minutes, but the Kentucky Derby represents much more than that. For those in attendance, it can be a grand experience filled with pomp and circumstance, generating lasting memories surrounding the premiere event for Thoroughbreds.

Fans wanting to attend the Kentucky Derby can apply for tickets online, earn VIP status through TwinSpires, or catch the excitement with a last minute seat.

Fashion is of the highest order for many, an opportunity for women to wear their best “Derby Hat” and a red-carpet awaits the numerous celebrities that attend each year.

Churchill Downs offers a wide variety of ticket packages as well as general admission for the Paddock, Infield and all other Standing Room Only locations.

The 2017 Kentucky Derby will be the 143rd renewal of the most popular event in American Thoroughbred racing. As always, the grandeur of the experience attracts many fans who wish to attend the event live. The first Saturday in May is a can’t miss experience worthy of being on anyone’s bucket list.

GENERAL ADMISSION

General admission is also available and patrons can save money if they buy before Saturday, December 31st. Prices begin at $40 for the Kentucky Oaks and $60 for the Kentucky Derby.

Starting January 1, pricing for general admission will increase to $70 for the Kentucky Derby and $45 for the Oaks. Those prices will remain in place through April 22. From April 23 until the day before each respective race the price of a general admission ticket will rise to $80 for the Derby and $60 for the Oaks.

General admission tickets provide entry to Churchill Downs, and access to non-reserved seating on the first level of the clubhouse and grandstand. The Paddock Plaza and Paddock Garden areas are also accessible using general admission. The Big Board is viewable from all of these areas, and offers a luscious 15,224 LED screen with 4K high-definition.

VIP PACKAGES

VIP Packages are also available through a variety of vendors and can offer a bundle that includes travel, hotel stay, reserved seating and other exciting add-ons.

Twinspires.com offers a great opportunity to play in the Kentucky Derby Betting Championship.

WHERE TO BUY 2018 KENTUCKY DERBY TICKETS

Kentucky Derby Tickets are available through the Kentucky Derby website at KentuckyDerby.com.

DATES

The Kentucky Derby will run on Saturday, May 5, 2018 and include a full day of racing and festivities.

The Kentucky Oaks will run on Friday, May 4, 2018 and include a full evening of racing and festivities.

About the 2019 Kentucky Derby

The 2019 Kentucky Derby will be the 145th renewal of the prestigious event, and will once again be hosted by Churchill Downs. Also known as The Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby covers a distance of 1 ¼ miles and is open to all three-year-old colts. It stands as the first leg of the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred Racing.

Winning this race is essential to carving out a legacy that will last a lifetime. It is undoubtedly one of the races that owners, trainers and jockeys love targeting as it remains one of the coveted championships in the entire sport. The purse for the 2019 Kentucky Derby is expected to be $2 million USD.

A maximum number of twenty horses can enter the starting gates at Churchill Downs, and each horse has to earn entry by competing in at least one of the prep races on The Road to the Kentucky Derby. This is a series of graded stakes races that take place across North America, Europe, Dubai and Japan. The main highlights of this series include the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park, the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

There’s no doubt that this has always been a global event which draws both massive action and interest from regular horse players and mainstream fans alike.

In 2015, Churchill Downs set an attendance record with 170,513 fans with 16.1 million viewers from television. Beyond that, there was a spike in wagering as all-sources handle was reported at a whopping $194.3 million.

The 2016 Kentucky Derby drew a packed house of 167,227 fans in attendance and an additional 15.6 million viewers through both online and traditional broadcasting methods.

In the most recent edition of the Derby, rain and cold weather reduced the crowd to just 158,070 at Churchill Downs. However, the NBC broadcast and online stream drew 16.4 million viewers, which was the highest in nearly three decades. Prior to Always Dreaming claiming victory with just over $209.2 million being generated on the entire program. This set a new handle record for the illustrious race.

One of the nicknames for the Kentucky Derby is “The Fastest Two Minutes In Sports,” which is indicative of how much of a thrill ride it is for racing fans. The 144th renewal in 2018 will undoubtedly be an event you won’t want to miss.